PHILOSOPHY EXAM REVIEW

A priori knowledge

Knowledge that is independent of experience, derived through reason. Example: 'All bachelors are unmarried'.

Empirical knowledge

Knowledge gained through sensory experience. Example: Learning it’s raining by seeing it or feeling raindrops.

Analysis

Breaking a concept into parts to understand it better. Example: Analyzing the structure of an argument.

Synthesis

Combining ideas or parts to form a whole. Example: Synthesizing various arguments into a new philosophical position.

Anthropomorphic

Attributing human traits to non-human entities. Example: Imagining gods having emotions like jealousy.

Polytheistic

Belief in multiple gods, often with distinct roles. Example: Greek mythology with Zeus, Athena, and Poseidon.

Buzzword

A trendy or overused term lacking depth. Example: 'Synergy' in corporate language.

Concept

An idea or principle with depth and clarity. Example: 'Freedom' as a philosophical idea.

Philosophy

The study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and values.

A philosophy

A particular system of thought or approach to life. Example: Stoicism as a philosophy.

Deism

Belief in a non-intervening creator god. Example: God as a clockmaker.

Theism

Belief in a personal god involved in human affairs. Example: The Christian God answering prayers.

Materialism

Belief that reality is solely physical. Example: Everything can be reduced to matter.

Immaterialism

Belief that reality is primarily non-physical or mental. Example: Berkeley’s idea that only minds and perceptions exist.

Social freedom

Freedom that is the absence of external constraints. Example: Freedom of speech.

Rational freedom

Freedom as acting according to reason or moral law. Example: Kant’s idea of autonomy.

Epistemology

Study of knowledge, its nature, and scope. Example: What can we know?

Aesthetics

Study of beauty and art. Example: What makes something beautiful?

Paradox

A statement that contradicts itself but may reveal a truth. Example: 'This statement is false'.

Tautology

A statement true by definition or redundancy. Example: 'It will either rain or not rain'.

Duty-defined morality

Morality based on duties or rules. Example: Kant’s categorical imperative.

Consequentialist morality

Morality based on outcomes. Example: Utilitarianism’s 'greatest good for the greatest number'.

Negative freedom

Freedom from interference. Example: Absence of censorship.

Positive freedom

Freedom to achieve one's potential. Example: Access to education.

World of being

Eternal, unchanging reality. Example: Plato’s forms.

World of becoming

The changing, imperfect physical world.

Rationalism

Knowledge through reason. Example: Descartes’ 'I think, therefore I am'.

Empiricism

Knowledge through sensory experience. Example: Locke’s tabula rasa.

Interactionism

Mind and body influence each other. Example: Descartes’ dualism.

Epiphenomenalism

Mental states are effects of physical processes, not causes.

Altruism

Acting for others’ benefit. Example: Volunteering for charity.

Egoism

Acting in one’s self-interest. Example: Pursuing personal success.

Atheism

Belief that no gods exist.

Agnosticism

Belief that the existence of gods is unknown or unknowable.

Morality

Personal principles of right and wrong. Example: Helping someone in need.

Ethics

Systematic study of morality. Example: Professional ethics in medicine.

Moral evils

Harm caused by human action. Example: Murder.

Nonmoral evils

Harm caused by natural events. Example: Earthquakes.

Idealism

Reality is primarily mental. Example: Plato’s forms.

Psychological egoism

Descriptive claim that people always act in self-interest.

Ethical egoism

Normative claim that people ought to act in self-interest.

Cultural relativism

Morality depends on cultural norms.

Ethical relativism

Morality depends on individual or societal beliefs.